Two mad-cap co-workers who love history, genealogy, and the occasional walk through a cemetery.

09 December 2010

Obituary--Grover C. Shufelt

Grover's obituary is another "two-fer", appearing on week, with just a bit of information, and then the following week with much more information. I came across his notices while updating the new database we have at the library for obituaries. Unfortunately the database requires a birth date, or at least a year. While these notices give age, they do not give the year he was born in, so Grover will not appear on our online database. If looking for obituaries, even if we don't have a name listed, we can still check our books and microfilm as long as we have a date of death to look under. Don't be discouraged by not finding anything on the database. Many years have not been gleaned from the microfilm yet either. But armed with a death date and a name, we can at least try to look for you.Anyway, after that plug for our local history room, here are the two death notices for Grover Shufelt.

First from the 7 August 1913 Fremont TimesIndicator:

Grover Shufelt, of Bridgeton township, was drowned in Muskegon river while bathing near Ed Whitman's farm last Sunday afternoon. He swam across the river and attempted to swim back but became exhausted before he reached the shore. He was about 23 years of age.

Just a brief notice, probably just getting in under the paper's deadline. This one is much lengthier version, published a week later. From the 14 August 1913 Fremont TimesIndicator:

Grover C. Shufelt, aged 26 years, was drowned Sunday afternoon, August 3rd, in the Muskegon river, near the farm of Wm. Haire. He was a fine young man and one of Bridgeton's progressive young farmers. Three months ago his father was buried. Mrs. Shufelt has had her share of affliction. He leaves to mourn his untimely death, a mother and two brothers, Alfred and Arthur. the funeral services were held at the Sand Creek school house August 4, and were conducted by Rev. J. W. McLean. the text was the thrid and fourth verses of the third chapter of Collosians. The casket was covered with beautiful flowers, tokens of respect from friends and neighbors. He was carried to his last resting place in the Bridgeton cemetery by six of his young companions.

A little longer, and much more detailed. And changes in details from the first notice. Different age, different farm. I would be more inclined to believe the version in the second, as there was more time to gather facts, but still, you never know and both versions should be checked before recording anything in ink. My favorite part of the second notice was the extra note of sympathy for the mother. Can't you just picture the writer, shaking their head as they wrote that?